Napoleon is recognized as one of the great people of action of history and yet his story is often too remote, too unfamiliar and with too little connection to the ken of Americans for them to know much more about him than his name and nationality. For those seeking an understanding of his life, careers and importance, “Napoleon For Dummies” is the go-to volume.

It is organized into 26 chapters. The first 16 are generally arranged chronologically from his youth on Corsica through his military and political careers. The next seven address various accomplishments that justify his place in history while the final three suggest battlefields to visit, convey advise from the author to Napoleon and sources of further information.

I find the sections on his accomplishments to be the most interesting. The promotion of a French middle class, establishment of the Grand Duchy of Warsaw, progenitor of a Polish nation state, the promulgation of the Civil Code, known as the Code Napoleon and spread of religious freedom, not only for Christian sects but also Jews and Moslems, and his beginning steps toward European unity are enduring effects of Napoleon’s rule that many of our contemporaries may assume to have always been there.

I wanted to know more about Napoleon so I have read at least four whole life or partial biographies of him. I learned a lot about their subject but nothing pulled it all together as well as “Napoleon For Dummies” has. Consistent with the “Dummies” format, information that is “Legend” or something to “Remember” is noted as such in the margins. Author J. David Markham, a renowned Napoleon scholar, has chronicled a life in easy-to-understand segments leavened with humor and wit, a lot of wit. For anyone desiring an understanding of Napoleon’s life, career and significance to the world in which we live, “Napoleon For Dummies” is the place to start. ( )